Boston and Cambridge are often seen as dueling cities.

On one side of the Charles River there are world-renowned schools like Harvard University and MIT, both of which are responsible for churning out hundreds, if not thousands, of talented individuals who have gone on to achieve historic feats.

Then, in the Hub, just a bridge away from those schools, the top hospitals from around the world sit snugly along the banks of the river.

Beyond the medical world, however, Boston is also home to some of the most prosperous and inventive companies and universities, as well as the burgeoning innovation community.

But City Councilor Tito Jackson believes that rather than people compare the two, trying to figure out who wins the title for the greatest city, each respective community should ban together and figure out a way to retain the talent that is brewing within the confines of the colleges and universities.

“Sadly, about 53-percent of young people who graduate from here actually leave within a short course relative to graduation,” said Jackson. “When we think about companies like Facebook…that’s one person who left and look what they were able to create.”

Jackson said he wants to convene a meeting between Cambridge officials, and leaders in Boston, to conjure up ways to keep talented individuals in the area so Massachusetts can continue to benefit from both economic and cultural growth.

“There are many aspects to look at, and we need to begin to look at [Boston and Cambridge] as an innovation region and not just a district,” he said.

Jackson jokingly added that successful businesses should be celebrated like sports stars.

“When there is a championship we close down the roads. If you own a $100 million IPO company, we will give you a Duck Boat parade,” he said. “We need to make sure that young people who are superstars in their individual industry get the same type of acknowledgment.”

According to data provided by Jackson during a meeting at City Hall in Boston on Wednesday, one in every three Bostonians is between the ages of 20 and 34, and the Hub has the largest concentration of young adults of any major American city.

In a proposal calling for a hearing to discuss talent retention with the city of Cambridge, Jackson said the two areas have been linked culturally, economically and geographically for nearly 400 years, and developing the relationship between the cities even further “will enhance the lives of their citizens.”

“The Innovation District needs to spread all over the city of Boston and Cambridge…it’s an important aspect to us maintaining the mantel we have been placed on,” he said. “Often times it seems we have beef with the folks across the bridge. We need to come together and realize Cambridge is not our competitor, they are our brother and sister and we need to work with them on this. We need to look at this issue of retaining our talent.”

Jackson’s request was backed by several members of the Boston City Council, and was referred to a new council sub-committee, the Committee on Global Opportunity and Innovation and Technology.

Jackson has been in contact with elected leaders in Cambridge, who agreed a stronger bond would benefit the entire region.

“Within the boundaries of Cambridge and Boston are some of the greatest thinkers of our time who have ideas that will revolutionize the way we communicate with each other, take care of one another, and view the world around us,” said Cambridge City Councillor Leland Cheung. “It is essential that we take the necessary steps to ensure that these innovators opt to choose the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a place where they make their dreams a reality.”

Cheung told BostInno that a “cross-city collaborative effort” akin to those of Boston and Cambridge are necessary to instill confidence in graduates that the Boston-area, and the state, is a place that they can thrive and build a family.

“It is imperative that we make sure that students, graduates, and employers have the tools that they need to strengthen our economy, whether it be by integrating students into the local community by assisting them in obtaining internships while in school, matching growing companies to graduates that possess the skill-sets they require, or working with community and government partners to assist young professionals in obtaining housing that is convenient and affordable,” he said.

But beyond those goals, Jackson told BostInno that there are other problems in Boston, specifically, that need to be addressed in order to appeal to the influx of young entrepreneurs and residents that flock to the Hub.

He said revamping antiquated liquor laws, dance restrictions and license restrictions would also help retain a certain demographic.

“Lets figure out how to make things more fun. We have to figure out our nightlife issues,” he said.